Plumb-level and square.



No. 636,!9l. Patented Oct. 3|, I899. J. F. WRIGHT.

PLUMB LEVEL AND SQUARE.

(Application filed Feb. 9, 1899.)

(No Model.)

W 6 ,1 m WW m J 9 a 2 6 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH FREDRIOK WRIGHT, OF HUNTINGTON, WEST VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-THIRD TO H. O. SIMMS AND F. B. ENSLOW, OF SAME PLACE.

PLUMB-LEVEL AND SQUARE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 636,191, dated October 31, 1899.

Application filed February 9, 1899. Serial No. 705,101. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH FREDRICK WRIGHT, residing at Huntington, in the county of Cabell and State of West Virginia, have invented a new and Improved Plumb- Level and Square, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is in the nature of a combined tool or implement more especially adapted for masons, bricklayers, and carpenters use; and it seeks to provide an implement of this character of a very simple and economical construction which will effectively serve for its intended purposes.

In its general construction my improved implement comprehends a novel arrangement whereby parts can be detached and the entire implement convenientlyfolded up to be carried from place to place or packed for shipping; and in its specificnature said invention consists in certain details and peculiar combinations, such as will be first described and then specifically pointed out in the .appended claim, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 is 'a perspective View of my invention, showing the parts arranged as a square. Fig. 2 is a similar view illustrating its application as a plumb. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the plumb-stock folded up. Fig. 4 is a transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the parts folded up and 'made convenient for carrying. Fig. 6 is a detail view of the detachable level-section.

In its practical construction my implement comprises a body or stock portion formed of two sections 1 2, centrally hinged, as at 3, to fold upon each other, the section 1 forming the upper end of the plumb-stock and the section 2 the lower end of the same when the parts are extended, as seen in Fig. 2, the upper section having the usual handle-holds 3 3, the bob-line split 4, and dowels 5, which are arranged to engage sockets 5 in the section 2, said section 2 having the usual bob-opening 6 and a handle-hold 7. The sections 1 and 2 have one face (that over which the plumb-line passes) formed with alining longitudinal sockets 8 9, dovetailed in crosssection, and the upper section 1 has a countersun'k porti'on 10,whereby a keeper-plate 11 can be set flush on the socket-face, as clearly shown in Fig. 3.

12 indicates a lock-block having beveled edges arranged to slide on the sockets 8 and 9 to hold the two sections firmly extended when opened out to form the plumb-stock, the said lock-slide 12 and the sockets 8 and 9 being relatively of such lengths whereby the said slide 12 can be moved its entire length into the upper socket 9 when it is desired to fold the sections 1 and 2 on each other, the slide 12 having a suitable finger-opening 13 to facilitate its movement.

The keeper-plate 11, which is set flush with the face of the section 1, has for its purpose to close the upper end of the socket 8 when the slide 12 is moved down, and thereby present a smooth continuous surface for the plumb-line to rest against and avoid retarding of the free movement thereof by reason of obstructions, which would occur were the upper end of socket 8 left open, and to further guard against such retarding movement of the linethe lower portion of the slide 12 has its outer face made flush with the face of the section 2, as shown in Fig. 4, its upper portion being slightly depressed, whereby to allow the member 12 to slide freely under the keeper 14.

15 indicates the plumb-line, and 15 the bob.

16 indicates a detachable level-stock having a spirit-level 17 in its longitudinal edge and a second spirit-level 18 at right angles to the level 17, arranged in the outer end 17*, which end is beveled at an angle of seventy degrees, whereby the same can readily be used to square octagon corners, it being manifest that when detached the members 17 can be employed as an ordinary level.

The member 17 has a tongue 17", which is adapted to be set in the socket 19 in one of the longitudinal edges of the upper section 1 to project at right angles therefrom. When the member 17 is fitted in the upper section 1 and the sections 1 2 extended, the implement will readily serve as a square, as indicated in Fig. 1.

One face of the duplex sections has a ruleplate m at one edge, as shown. This enables the bricklayer to get the center of a stone sill and mark the stone at the center or folding-point of the rule. By forming the levelsection in the manner stated an octagon corner can be laid elf or a brick marked off to an octagon shape without the necessity of making a pattern.

I am aware that implements of this character having a plumb-stock formed of sections provided with interlocking means is not new, and I broadly make no claim of such construction; but

hat I do claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

An improved combined plumb-level and square, consisting of a plumb-level stock formed of two sections hinged to fold flat upon each other, said sections having alining longitudinal sockets, the upper-section socket being extended; a keeper-plate held over the 

